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July 17, 1934. I K, wlNKLER 1,967,181 I TABLE Filed Aug. 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l K. WINKLER July 17, 1934.

TABLE Filed Aug. 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 17, 1934 PATNT TABLE I Kurt Winkler, Finsterwalde, Nieder-Lausitz, Germany Application August 18,

1931, Serial No; 557,850

In Germany May 1, 1931 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a table with hinged leaves and has for its object 'to enable the table top to be enlarged in a simpler manner than has hitherto been possible. While in known tables 5 of the kind referred to the hinged leaves are im movable in the direction of the hinge axis, according to the invention the arrangement is such that a displacement of the hinged leaves, or of at least some of the hinged leaves, in the direction of or parallel to the hinge axis becomes possible. Many modifications of the usual types of tables thus become possible.

It may be mentioned, that a particularly simple construction is one in which the hinged leaves also act, when folded in, as a useful table sur face, extensible halves, pul1out rails and the like being entirely eliminated. This renders the construction very much simpler and there is no more warping of the pull-out rails, more particularly at the free ends, with the consequent difliculty of manipulation, when pulling them out. The part of the frame below the table top is no longer weakened at the openings for the pull-out rails, but can be made of the same section throughout and so narrow that there is no inconvenient obstruction of the legs of those sitting at the table. According to the invention a pile of four leaves capable of being folded over about two hinge axes at right angles to one another is mounted slidably on a bow capable of rocking with respect to the table frame. This makes it possible to spread out the pile of leaves to form a table top consisting of four boards butting together in the middle and projecting 35 by the same amount on all sides beyond the table frame.

Other objects as well as the nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccoinpanying drawings and pointed out in the claims forming a part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 shows a table having no extensible halves and provided only with a pile of hinged leaves, seen from below.

Fig. 2 is a section through the table before unfolding the pile of leaves.

Fig. 3 is a section through the table, after the first pair of leaves of the pile has been unfolded, and

Fig. 4. shows the table according to Fig. 1, as seen from above, with the hinged leaves fully 55 spread out.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the above described views to indicate corresponding parts.

In the constructional example there is shown a type of table which provides something completely novel in that the hinged leaves themselves are utilized for the normal state of the table. For the normal state of the four-cornered table 31, the top leaf of a pile of hinged leaves consisting f the four leaves 32, 33, 34 and 35 is used. This pile when folded together has its bottom leaf 34 connected by a rockable bow 36 to the table frame. As in the previous examples the leaf 34 is slidable by means of straps 3'7 with respect to the rockable bow 36. When the table top is to be. enlarged, the pile of leaves shown in Fig. 2 is first raised and is drawn over by means of the rockable bow 36 (see dotted lines in Fig. 3) in such a manner that the rockable bow 36 is displaced through 180, thus coming into opposite position with respect to the middle of the table. The pile of leaves is then spread. apart in pairs so that they come into the position shown in Fig. 3. An elongated table is thus obtained the width of which is equal to the width of one leaf and double the length of one leaf. If the table is to be still further enlarged, the pile of leaves which are spread in the manner shown in Fig. 3 are slid laterally with respect to the how 36 so that the leaves 34 and 35 come into the position shown in Fig. 4. The leaves 33 and 32 which are over the leaves 34 and 35 are thereupon hinged over sideways so that finally the position shown in Fig. 4 is obtained. The four leaves 32 to 35 are interconnected by means of the hinges 37.

The constructional example shown in the drawings only represents the fundamental construction. In practice many modifications are possible. Thus, for instance, the pile of leaves may be sunk inside the top of the table frame so that the top leaf of the pile is pushed with the upper edge of the table frame. Preferably an automatic locking arrangement will be provided between the enlarged table top and the table frame or the top part of the latter. In Figs. 1-4, such locking angle pieces or hooks are indicated at 38 and 39. The angle piece 38 engages in the form indicated in Fig. 3 in a slot or recess being made in the form of a groove extending along the face of this part of the frame in order that on the spread out pair of leaves being pushed into position indicated in Fig. 4, the angle piece 38 can move with it by sliding in the groove 40. The recess or groove 40 is preferably somewhat bevelled off at the top for enabling the angle piece 38 to enter unhindered when the pairs of hinged leaves are spread. This construction has the further advantage that the pairs of hinged leaves can only be returned again after a downward pressure has been exerted on the pair of leaves 33, 34 for disengaging the angle piece 38 from the groove or recess.

The angle piece 39 comes into engagement in a similar Way with the corresponding side of the table frame when the pile of leaves is pushed sideways, as indicated in Fig. 4. Locking arrangements of any other suitable kind can of course be employed, for instance, snap catches, bolts or the like.

What I claim is:

1. An extensible table including a frame, a

means for swingably and slidably connecting the leaf to the frame includes a bow pivotally connected medially of the frame and pivotally and slidably connected with said leaf.

3. A table as claimed in claim 1, wherein cooperative locking means are provided on certain of the leaves and on the frame for automatically and releasably holding the leaves in the desired position.

4. An extensible table including an open rectangular frame, a bow having its ends pivoted medially of the sides of the frame and below the upper surface thereof, a plurality of leaves arranged in pile formation supported on the upper edge of the frame, straps carried by the undersurface of the lower leaf and pivotally and slidably engaged with the medial portion of the bow, and hinges pivotally connecting the edges of the leaves to each other so that the leaves may be unfolded about two pivotal axes which are arranged at right angles to each other, substan tially as and for the purposes set forth.

KURT WINKLER. 

